James Witherite: Please Do Not Clap On One and 3

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer James Witherite delivers his third album as leader and his second organ trio offering on Please Do Not Clap On One and 3, presenting a repertoire of eight original pieces and a fresh new arrangement of Billy Joel's classic "New York State of Mind." A Pittsburgh-born, Western Pennsylvania native who now makes Dover, DE his home, is not only a versatile musician but also happens to be one of the premier voices of North American harness horse racing where, after seven years at Harrah's Philadelphia Racetrack, is now describing the action at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in Upstate New York.

Witherite takes to the organ on this date and in addition to providing one vocal performance and while his skills on the organ are unquestioned, his talents as a composer is what truly makes this album so good. The music is accessible as the charts spring to life by a small combo of organ, drums and guitar voices superbly interpreting the music of the project. The unusual trio includes guitarist Ken Karsh and drummers Kevin Lowe and Cory Caruso who share the duties.

The music kicks off with a nice post-bop number on the upbeat and lively "Of The Essence" immediately showcasing why the leader chose the organ as his main instrument as he dishes out one splendid solo after another. Displaying a bit of funk and groove, the original "35th and Archer" is a burner of a tune where the group swings on a stylish gyrating piece with elements of jazz/funk and fusion in its core. Guitarist Karsh shines on the beautiful balladic "Parkway East" delivering the lead with a measure of elegance as the leader shares the limelight.

Can't help but hear a little of the Joey DeFrancesco style on the contemporary-tinged "Halfway There" as Witherite seems to be at his best on the organ on one of the best pieces of the set with the able assistance of Karsh and Caruso on drums. After the quick-paced and swinging "Diego the Pirate" and the gospel and blues-styled "I Profess," Witherite and crew provide a terrific performance on "Vista Clara" without question, one of the highlights of the disc.

The wonderful sounds of this organ trio begin to wind down on the spicy shoulder-moving "Breaking and Exiting" and closes out with a vocal rendition of "New York State of Mind" demonstrating that this artists, can also sing. A follow up to his first big band album +17 (CDBaby, 2012), James Witherite's Please Do Not Clap On One and 3 is a toned-down organ trio date with just as much excitement and energy containing engaging new melodically appealing mainstream material perfectly defining his own mission statement "Good, honest music."

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